Chapter Two

Neverland – Decades Earlier

"Ahoy!"

It was the greeting that every seafarer knew. A mariner's hello used by the lowliest deckhand to the loftiest admiral. Such a common expression in his vernacular but one the infamous pirate Captain Hook hadn't expected to hear today – most certainly not one he would have imagined to hear come from a female voice in this cursed land. After nearly a century spent here in Neverland, the rare sound of a woman's voice was generally a bad omen, typically meaning an unwelcome encounter with a mermaid or a siren was about to befall them. Pan and his Lost Boys had little use for women, but Hook's ears had not deceived him as the voice called out again.

"Ahoy, fellow mariners!"

He turned, glancing across the bow as the silhouette of another ship emerged from the evening fog. Even without his spyglass, he could tell that there were several figures on the deck and the one manning the helm was dressed head to toe in black with an old fashioned tri-corner hat atop a head full of wild dark tresses. As he watched with admiration, she expertly steered her ship in alongside the Jolly Roger.

"Ahoy, milady. Might my crew be of assistance?" Hook shouted back. "You appear to be quite out of place here."

"Indeed," the woman replied. "Permission to come aboard?"

"Granted," he replied, gesturing for his crew to prepare for visitors. It had been quite a while since they'd had a lady aboard and pirates or not, he was going to make sure they were gentlemen.

Awaiting his guests to be aided up the rope ladder from their rowboat, Hook stood center deck, knowingly striking an imposing figure in black leather with his cutlass ready at his hip. He wanted to make a daunting impression on his counterpart as she took her first step over the railing and onto the deck of his ship.

"Welcome to the Jolly Roger, Love," he began his introduction with a wave of his hook in a mock flourish. "Captain Hook at your service."

His guest tugged off her hat and as she made a little bow before him, she scrutinized every inch of him – her eyes inevitably drawn to the steel hook that capped his left arm.

"Your reputation precedes you, Captain," she smiled. "Allow me to introduce myself – Captain Devereaux Sinclair of the Fair Siren. This is my first mate, Elena," she continued, motioning toward the tall brunette who had accompanied her. "Thank you for allowing us aboard your vessel."

"It appears you ladies are rather lost," Hook said, his own eyes taking in Devereaux's appearance. Like himself, she clearly had a preference for black leather – everything about her as dark and unkempt as her raven hair. By the looks of things, they'd encountered some rough seas.

"Quite," she responded. "My ship got drawn into a whirlpool and somehow, transported to this land that isn't on any of my charts."

"You won't find Neverland on any standard charts or maps," he told her, taking note of the disbelief on her face.

"Neverland? You're telling me that my ship was transported by some magic to a place that doesn't exist?"

"Oh, Neverland definitely exists and you've sailed right into the heart of it. I wouldn't expect a warm welcome though. Pan and his boys don't really have much use for ladies like you."

"You and your crew certainly don't look like boys. What are you doing here?"

"We've been trapped here for decades, running errands for Pan just to stay alive. I don't see him being as welcoming to you."

"If they're just boys, why should we fear them?"

"They're hardly just boys. Demons would be more like it. And they already know you're here so I suggest you be prepared. You were brought here in error and Pan will be eager to rectify that."

"Rectify?"

"As I said, Pan doesn't have any use for women. Women are the one thing that can turn boys into men and in this land, he won't allow that to happen."

"What about those amongst you who are already men? Will you help us? I'm sure we could find a suitable exchange for your assistance?"

Despite the primal urges that were pulling at him, Hook certainly recognized the danger. He wouldn't put himself or his crew at risk for a ship full of women simply for a lustful impulse.

"I'm not making any promises," he replied. "We'll see what Pan wants to do. Perhaps he'll just choose to send you back."

"And if he doesn't?"

"Well, that would be your problem, not mine," Hook smirked, an almost evil glint reflected in his icy blue eyes.

"Captain! Lost Boys approaching starboard!" one of his crew shouted as they spotted the small rowboat materializing out of the mist with two hooded figures aboard.

"It appears that you're about to find out what Pan has planned for you," Hook stated.

"How would he know we were here already? My ship only came through the storm hours ago."

"Trust me, Sinclair, Pan knows everything. The moment you arrived, he was already plotting how to rid himself of you."

"By the sound of things, getting out of this land quickly would be a blessing."

"Then I guess you had better hope he only plans to send you back to your realm. He could always decide to kill you all."

"Such an encouraging statement, my dear Captain Hook," she said as they watched the rowboat move in close to the starboard hull.

"Captain Jones," one of the boys shouted, intentionally using Hook's real name out of pure spite. "Pan's not happy that you're harboring the women."

"Harboring?" Hook shouted back. "Conversing perhaps, but certainly not harboring. I've only just made their acquaintance."

"Then say your farewells and escort them to the Mermaid lagoon."

"Mermaid lagoon? What purpose would it serve to lead them there? I prefer to stay clear of those waters."

"Pan will allow a portal to be opened to send them back where they belong," the boy replied.

"I guess I've gotten my answer," Devereaux said in a whisper.

"Don't get too excited yet," Hook replied in a hushed voice. "It could be a trick. Mermaid lagoon is a treacherous place."

"I'm quite familiar with the mermaid legends, but if it's a chance at a way back to our land, I'll take it."

"Lead the women's ship to the lagoon and into the portal, or you can face Pan yourself, Captain."

"We'll provide the escort," Hook responded. "When will the portal be opened?"

"As soon as the mist clears," the boy stated. "I suggest you don't waste time."

With that statement, the boys rowed back into the fog and vanished while Hook turned his attentions back to the becoming Captain Sinclair.

"Return to your ship and prepare to follow. Stick close to our stern and we'll lead you into the portal. It'll be a very bumpy ride."

"Worse than being sucked into a whirlpool?"

"Aye – because this time you'll be sailing into it intentionally. There's no way of knowing where it will drop us either. Make sure your crew is prepared."

"Understood. I gather we'll see you again on the other side then." He wanted to say that it was more likely that they'd never be seen again, but he kept his mouth shut. At least this gave his own crew a way out as well – and maybe this time, it would be for good.

Storybrooke – Present Day

Even after all of these years, Regina's black and white marble office still felt chillingly austere. While it may have at one time suited the Evil Queen, it now seemed an ironic choice for Regina's personality – someone who lived her life mired in various shades of gray. Maybe someday she'd decide to redecorate, but until then, it just seemed a bit too much.

"Emma, are you even listening to me?"

Regina's question was an honest one. Emma hadn't even realized that her mind had drifted and now, she couldn't even recall what the subject of their conversation had been.

"I'm sorry," Emma sighed. "Just been a bit distracted this afternoon. Wasn't expecting to encounter someone from Killian's past earlier."

"Someone new?"

"Yeah. I've never seen her before. She claims her ship was blown off course in a storm and she ended up in our harbor, but I'm not buying it."

"Her ship? Another pirate?" Regina wasn't thrilled at that prospect. Killian might be reformed but this one likely wasn't.

"Isn't the town still cloaked? How would she have accidentally found her way into our harbor?"

"The magic that hides the town from outsiders could be weakening, but I agree, her story doesn't make much sense. Was she alone?"

"As far as I know. We caught her trying to break into Killian's safe on the Jolly Roger. She claimed she was just looking for him after recognizing the ship, but I know that look she had when she got caught."

"She was looking for something," Regina stated.

"Exactly. And I think she dropped this," Emma said as she retrieved the mirror from her jacket which was draped over the back of an armchair. "Killian didn't recognize it. Have you ever seen anything like it?"

Emma placed the bronze compact atop Regina's desk and watched as Regina's eyes lit up when her fingers came in contact with the etched surface.

"I think this is a looking glass," Regina stated, lifting the object to get a better view of it.

"A looking glass? Isn't that just a fancy word for mirror?"

"Not exactly. A mirror simply reflects what is in front of it. A looking glass can function similar to a crystal ball, in the right hands, of course."

"So this thing could be magical – like Sidney, your magic mirror?"

"Yes, it could, but not like my mirror. It was enchanted. This is a different type of magic." Regina studied the intricacies of the design before flipping it open. "If that pirate woman did drop it, you can bet that she'll want it back. This one looks like it came straight from Wonderland, although it would be better if it had the handle."

"They're supposed to have a handle?"

"This one is," Regina replied, pointing to the tiny matching holes on either side of the compact. "It would have attached here – probably with a U-shaped cradle atop the handle."

"I didn't see anything like that onboard the ship this afternoon. Maybe she still has it, or maybe that's what she was looking for?"

"I don't know, but I'd definitely put this under lock and key. If it's real, it'll be sought after by more than just our pirate friend."

"For now, I'll lock it up in the evidence room at the station," Emma said as Regina handed it back to her. "It's probably stolen to begin with."

As the compact touched her hand, Emma felt a sudden chill run down her spine, momentarily freezing her in place.

"Emma? You okay?"

"That was really weird," she said as she tucked the compact back into her pocket again.

"You look as though you just saw a ghost," Regina said.

"It was just a strange feeling. A little bit ominous."

"In what way?"

"Like a warning," Emma stated. "I can't explain it any other way." She decided to shake it off though – not about to be spooked by the possibility of a magic mirror compact.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Killian figured it was a little after six o'clock. He hadn't yet heard anything from Emma so it was quite likely that she and Regina were still arguing about something. Finally deciding just to walk down to the Sheriff's station to wait, he was reminded that with Emma, nearly everything involved waiting.

Good thing she was worth it.

At least one of the perks of being married to the sheriff was that he wouldn't have to wait outside as the evening chill set in. Not that he couldn't have gotten inside anyway, it just felt so much more official to have his own key. Who would ever have thought that pirate Captain Hook would have been entrusted with a key to the sheriff's own office?

As he approached the main entrance, it was obvious that Emma wasn't there yet as the door was locked and only the emergency lights were on inside. He strolled around the alley to the back entrance and immediately, his senses told him something wasn't quite right. While there were no obvious signs of a break in, too many years spent on the other side of the law had made him very adept at recognizing a lock that had been tampered with and a quick turn of the handle confirmed his suspicions. The door was unlocked and swung open with minimal effort. Killian tensed up and suddenly felt himself regretting that he hadn't brought along his sword. He also knew that he should really wait for Emma, but where's the adventure in that? At least he knew he'd be potentially encountering someone without magic. Why pick a lock when you could open it with a thought or a flick of your wrist?

He entered the hallway and cautiously made his way past the storage room toward Emma's office. Faint scraping sounds alerted him that he wasn't alone and for a moment, he contemplated trying to call Emma on the cell phone that she insisted he carry, but if she didn't answer, he'd be on his own anyway. He was going to confront this intruder himself. He had the element of surprise and a very sharp hook on his side. What could possibly go wrong?

As he inched closer, it was obvious that the sounds were coming from Emma's office and he could have sworn he heard what sounded like a desk drawer being slid open or closed. Someone certainly had a lot of bravado to not only break into a sheriff station, but to rummage through the sheriff's own office and desk? There was a degree of insanity to that.

A shadow figure appearing against the back wall of the office gave him an idea of where the person was positioned. He kept his back to the wall, trying to stay out of the light as the side entrance to the office was now only an arm's length away. He could now see the figure's profile and it looked very familiar.

A little too familiar.

"Maybe I should have had you arrested earlier today, Sinclair," he stated as he reached over to the wall switches and flipped on the overhead lights, startling her. "What the hell are you doing here?"

Angry and embarrassed to have been caught twice in one day, Devereaux turned slowly to face Killian.

"I must really be losing my touch," she sighed, slamming closed the drawer that she'd been searching.

"You left tool marks behind like an amateur," he stated, letting her know how he'd been aware that she picked the lock.

"I'm a little rusty," she shrugged. "It's been a few years."

"What are you doing breaking into the Sheriff's office?"

"You mean your wife's office?" she teased. "I was looking for something of mine that she took."

"What is it that you think she took from you?"

"My mirror. I saw it in her hand when you came out onto the deck of your ship earlier today. I dropped it when you tackled me and I want it back."

"You mean that little bronze compact? Who did you steal that from?"

"Yes – that little bronze compact. I figured she might have brought it here. Where is it?"

"Sorry, love," he replied. "I have no idea where Emma might have put it. You'll have to ask her."

"And I most definitely will. I need it back."

"What exactly is so important about a little mirror in a metal case? Is it as important as the objects you tried to steal from me decades ago? The ones that you tried to drug me to get your hands on?"

"You have no idea. You didn't know what you had back then and you have no idea what your wife is holding on to right now!"

"Then enlighten me," he insisted.

"Wish I could," she said as she backed away from the desk. Killian stepped past the glass partition into the office, still waiting for Devereaux to give him a straight answer.

"You're hiding something," he said as he stared directly into her deep hazel eyes. "I've known for a long time that you aren't to be trusted. You were trying to break into my safe this afternoon and now, you're looking for something here. There's more to this than just a mirror. What is this really about?"

"That's my business, not yours," she stated, shoving her hands into the pockets of her black denim jacket. It was a defensive pose and he recognized it, just not in time to prevent her next move.

Her right hand suddenly flew out of the pocket holding a tiny glass bottle filled with some sort of plum colored powder. Before he had a chance to react, she flung the bottle's contents toward his face, enveloping him in a purple cloud as she backed away.

"What the…?" his voice trailed off as the cloud of powdery dust filled the office, instantly assaulting all of his senses. It burned his eyes, then his nose and throat as he inhaled. Suddenly it was sucking the air out of his lungs – suffocating him.

"Sorry, Hook," she said as she backed her way out of the office through the main door into the station's main squad room. "You may have forgotten how to be a pirate, but I haven't. Tell your wife that if she wants the antidote, I want my mirror! She can come find me, but she'd best make it quick. Your time is limited, I'm afraid."

"What is this?" he struggled to get the words out as his knees buckled and he found himself forced to use Emma's desk for support.

"Widowsbane. I'm sure you're familiar with it. Nothing personal."

Devereaux grinned at him as she darted down the hallway toward the back door. Poisoning him hadn't really been part of her plan, but now she had leverage to make Emma give her back the compact.

Clinging to the desk, Killian could only watch her disappear. He was quite familiar with widowsbane and knew he had to get help – and quickly. He fumbled through his jacket pocket searching for his phone, but as his strength waned, his hand was trembling too much to get a grip on the tiny device. It fell from his grasp and clattered to the floor, sliding across the tile and ending up in the hallway about ten feet away. He tried to muster the strength to crawl toward it and retrieve it, but couldn't, falling onto the cold tile and hoping that Emma was already on her way there. If he made it through this, there was definitely going to be an ass-chewing in his future.